Alex Gray is a Scottish crime author known for compelling detective novels. Her popular Detective Lorimer series, including titles like Never Somewhere Else and Five Ways To Kill A Man, has earned her a devoted readership.
If you enjoy reading books by Alex Gray then you might also like the following authors:
If you like Alex Gray, you might also enjoy Ian Rankin. His crime novels capture the gritty atmosphere of Edinburgh and explore the darker side of urban life.
Rankin's detective, Inspector John Rebus, is a complicated and relatable character whose sharp instincts are matched by personal struggles. One notable book to start with is Knots and Crosses, which introduces readers to Rebus and his complex world.
Fans of Alex Gray could also appreciate Val McDermid's crime novels. She is known for tense, psychological thrillers that dig deep into characters' hidden motivations and complex relationships.
Her novel The Mermaids Singing features clinical psychologist Tony Hill and detective Carol Jordan, two engaging characters caught up in a terrifying serial killer investigation.
Denise Mina offers another great pick if you're drawn to Alex Gray. Mina's novels are grounded in vivid Glasgow settings, with characters who feel real and stories that highlight social issues and moral complexities. Her crime fiction is thought-provoking, dark, and authentic.
Check out Garnethill—it's the first book in her gritty and absorbing crime trilogy featuring Maureen O'Donnell.
For readers who enjoy Alex Gray's mysteries, Stuart MacBride is another Scottish crime writer to consider. His books combine dark, gritty scenarios in Aberdeen with sharp humor and strong characterization.
Detective Logan McRae, introduced in MacBride's novel Cold Granite, has a down-to-earth charm and determination that makes him memorable as he investigates disturbing crimes.
If Alex Gray's blend of vivid locations and intriguing plots appeals to you, Peter May's crime stories might be just what you're looking for. May creates rich, atmospheric settings, especially the remote islands of Scotland.
His novel The Blackhouse, set on the Isle of Lewis, blends crime investigation with an exploration of local traditions, secrets, and personal history that make it an absorbing read.
Ann Cleeves writes intriguing mysteries with rich characters and an atmospheric style. Her novels often focus on remote or isolated communities, emphasizing how secrets emerge in tight-knit settings.
In Raven Black, the first book in her Shetland series, detective Jimmy Perez investigates a murder that shakes a calm island community, exposing hidden tensions beneath the peaceful facade.
Tana French is known for psychological depth and complex narratives. Her books blend police procedural elements with character-driven storytelling, digging into personal secrets alongside criminal investigations.
In the Woods introduces readers to detective Rob Ryan, whose investigation into a murdered child awakens troubling memories from his own past, creating suspense and emotional complexity.
Peter Robinson's detective novels feature methodical investigations, realistic characters, and detailed depiction of police work.
His Inspector Banks series, including Gallows View, focuses on Alan Banks as he resolves intricate cases while navigating personal and professional challenges, offering readers reliable storytelling and believable characters.
Reginald Hill's detective fiction combines sharp wit, layered plots, and well-drawn characters.
His Dalziel and Pascoe series, starting with A Clubbable Woman, follows two contrasting detectives as they solve crimes with humor, intelligence, and understated social commentary, keeping readers engaged till the end.
Jo Nesbø writes gritty Scandinavian noir featuring flawed yet appealing characters. His books explore the darker parts of society and human psychology in gripping detail.
In The Snowman, detective Harry Hole hunts a disturbing serial killer, bringing readers into bleak environments filled with suspense, tension, and a powerful sense of atmosphere.
If you enjoy Alex Gray's atmospheric crime novels, Arnaldur Indriðason might be just what you're looking for. Indriðason's mysteries reveal the darker side of Iceland, featuring intriguing police detective Erlendur Sveinsson.
His writing creates rich characters and thoughtful plots, with just enough suspense to keep you guessing. Try his novel Jar City, which introduces Erlendur and offers a gritty exploration of family secrets and past crimes.
Fans of Alex Gray's tense and realistic storytelling would likely appreciate Mark Billingham. Billingham’s books feature detective Tom Thorne, and his style combines intricate plotting, sharp dialogue, and vividly drawn characters.
His crime stories often explore psychological motivations behind dark acts. Check out Sleepyhead, an intense thriller where Thorne hunts a criminal whose twisted methods unsettle everyone involved.
Lin Anderson writes the sort of gritty, gripping crime fiction that Alex Gray fans might enjoy. Like Gray, Anderson sets her compelling stories in urban Scotland.
She introduces forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod, whose methodical and precise investigation style helps unravel disturbing mysteries. Anderson's book Driftnet opens the Rhona MacLeod series, blending forensic detail with vivid Scottish atmosphere.
James Oswald's novels blend crime-solving with a touch of the supernatural. Readers who enjoy Alex Gray's layered and atmospheric Scottish mysteries may find Oswald appealing.
His lead character, Inspector Tony McLean, tackles baffling murders and dark personal struggles with empathy and intelligence. Start with Natural Causes, where hints of the inexplicable add extra depth to the police procedural setting.
Chris Brookmyre brings dark humor and sharp wit to the crime genre, offering a fresh angle for readers of Alex Gray. His style combines inventive plots, comic timing, and thoughtful social observations.
Brookmyre’s book Quite Ugly One Morning introduces Jack Parlabane, an irreverent and engaging investigative journalist caught up in darkly humorous yet sinister events.